How to Determine How Much Topsoil

Topsoil is the uppermost section of the ground where most plant roots grow. If you are planting a new garden or lawn and have poor quality topsoil, you can purchase additional soil to spread on the area. Topsoil is typically sold in bags or in bulk by the square yard. Before you can order topsoil, you must determine how much you actually need by performing some basic math calculations.

Tape measure
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Position yourself at the longest side of the installation area and stretch a tape measure all the way along it to determine the length of the location. Write the number down so that you do not forget it.
- 2
  Walk to one of the shortest sides of the installation location and repeat the process to measure the width of the location. Write this number down as well.
- 3
  Multiply the length of the location by the width of the location using a calculator to arrive at the total square footage of the location.
- 4
  Divide the total square footage by 100 to arrive at the total number of cubic yards of topsoil you must purchase. If the number is not even, round it up to the nearest yard or half yard, since some suppliers also sell topsoil by the half yard.

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